When deputies arrived at the residence, they discovered "several weapons" inside the home, and "multiple" guns appeared to have been used, including the rifle, the sheriff's office said.

"There’s no other way to say it, but we have a horrific crime scene we're working, and it'll be intensive, and we’ll work hard to do everything that needs to be done,” Sheriff Dan Houston told KRQE-TV.

[Updated, 12:35 p.m. Jan. 20: Sheriff’s Department spokesman Aaron Williamson told the Los Angeles Times on Sunday afternoon that officials were still working to identify the victims and the owner of the guns.

Officials had not yet determined whether the victims were related to each other or to the suspect.

Williamson said police had not had any “recent history” of responding to calls at the home or the surrounding area.

He could not elaborate on why the suspect was charged with “child abuse resulting in death,” saying the district attorney’s office came up with the charges.